Dean of Undergraduate Student Affairs John McKnight oversees the Division of Undergraduate Student Affairs, which includes Student Life, Residential Life and the House Communities, as well as the central Student Affairs office.

John McKnight is an experienced student affairs professional and nationally recognized leader in higher education administration. He serves as both a visionary leader and a collaborative partner––working closely with Dartmouth students and colleagues to foster a healthy, inclusive, and engaging campus community. As an educator, John promotes co-curricular learning as an essential part of students’ holistic development and personal growth.

John has dedicated his entire career to higher education administration, holding progressively responsible roles in student affairs, academic affairs, and equity and inclusion across several highly selective colleges and universities. He joined Dartmouth after serving as Vice President and Dean of the College at Haverford College where he oversaw academic advising and support, athletics, campus safety, career and professional advising, counseling and psychological services, health services, residential education, student engagement, and Title IX. At Haverford, he led several College-wide strategic planning efforts while professionalizing and modernizing the student affairs division.

Prior to Haverford, John served as Dean of Institutional Equity and Inclusion and Affiliated Associate Professor of Education at Connecticut College. He has also worked previously at Lafayette College, where he oversaw fraternity and sorority life, and Lehigh University, where he worked in residence life, multicultural affairs, and new student programs. John has received awards and acknowledgements from each of his prior institutions recognizing his outstanding leadership, administrative acumen, and commitment to student success.

John holds a bachelor of science from the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida, a master’s in higher education and student affairs from Indiana University at Bloomington, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. His scholarly pursuits have contributed to a strong belief in the abiding power of higher education to liberate individuals, build communities, and advance social change.